Taking a serious note of the alleged gangrape of three women of a Dalit family in Seoni district, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Uma Bharti Saturday ordered a probe into the incident and sent two ministers to meet the victims.

At the chief minister's directive, Forest Minister Dhal Singh Bisen and Minister of State for Home Jagdish Devda rushed to Bhomatola village where about three dozen people had allegedly gangraped the three on the night of July 8 to avenge the elopment of a minor girl with a member of the victims' family.

Expressing concern over the "inhuman" offence and "insensitiveness" of those witness to the act, Home Minister Babulal Gaur has ordered speedy action in the case.

The accused barged into the house of one Govardhan, dragged his wife, sister-in-law and daughter-in-law out and allegedly gangraped them in a field.

Eight of the nine accused named in the complaint have been arrested while one was still at large and a manhunt has been launched to nab him.

The incident is suspected to be a sequel to the alleged elopment of a 15-year-old girl with Govardhan's 20-year old son Nitesh on July 5.